Glassblowing talk launches inaugural Teachers’ and Technicians’ Conference

Associate Professor of the History of Science, Dr Catherine Jackson, and Master Glassblower, Terri Adams, gave a lecture-demonstration yesterday on the role of glassmaking in advancing the study of chemistry. In the Flame of a Proper Lamp: Glass and Glassblowing in Making Modern Chemistry gave an enlightening guide to the history and development of glassmaking from the 19th century to the present day as part of the Department of Chemistry's inaugural Teachers' and Technicians' Conference.

Dr Catherine Jackson (left) and Terri Adams (right) give a lecture-demonstration on the role of glassmaking in advancing the study of chemistry, including the construction of an 19th century piece of glassware known as a Kaliapparat (centre).

Hosted at St Anne's College and the Department of Chemistry, teaching and technical colleagues from across the UK came together for the conference that was opened by the Head of Department of Chemistry Professor Mark Brouard. The opening talk, available to view here, featured an expert live demonstration of the construction of a Kaliapparat. The Kaliapparat, one of the focuses of Dr Jackson's work on the material culture of Chemistry, is a glass device invented in the 1830s by Justus von Liebig for the analysis of the carbon content of organic compounds.

The inaugural two-day teaching conference, which concludes today, gives a chance for teachers and technicians in Chemistry to connect with other professionals, meet current researchers and University staff, as well as enjoy the beauty of the city, its colleges and the world-class facilities of the Chemistry Teaching Laboratory. The programme features talks, panel events, hands-on practical workshops, and an optional session focused on admissions.